Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, recently posted a message on the AFBF website asking all American farmers and ranchers to tell Congress how critical it is to stop regulatory overreach.

Duvall recently presented his call to action at the 2017 annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, where 5,000 Farm Bureau members were in attendance, the posting said.

The regulatory reform package (HR. 5) was sponsored in the House by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and passed on Jan. 11, enabling it to go to the Senate next. It would ensure transparency and accountability by regulatory agencies and strengthen the public’s right to know about congressional intent in rulemaking.

In addition to strengthening accountability and transparency, it would also reduce the $2 trillion price tag attached to compliance costs for farmers and ranchers, the posting said. Overall, the bill would make the rulemaking process, fair and easier to understand.

Also included in this bill is an amendment from AFBF-supported, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), which would make it illegal for a federal agency to lobby for its own rulemaking.